Qin Chen strode forward, his golden flames flickering with an unseen authority.
The deeper he ventured into the Crimson Hellstorm Domain, the more it became apparent—this place was his domain.
The flames here did not resist him.
They bent to him.
As if instinctively recognizing his Fire Sovereign Dao Body.
It wasn't just an advantage anymore.
It was complete dominance.
Billions of cultivators had risen throughout history.
Countless legends, geniuses, and monsters had shaken the heavens.
But in the entire recorded existence of cultivation—
Only one other person had ever possessed the Fire Sovereign Dao Body.
A single cultivator from an ancient era, whose mere presence had turned entire continents into scorched wastelands.
A being so powerful, the planet itself had nearly collapsed under his strength.
And now?
Qin Chen stood here, in a realm made of fire, with that same body.
What did that mean?
It meant absolute control.
It meant fire was no longer just an element—
It was his will.
Qin Chen's golden eyes flickered as he stepped past the final ridge.
Before him, an ancient portal loomed—a swirling crimson vortex, radiating a terrifying aura of suppression.
The core of the Crimson Hellstorm Domain lay beyond this gate.
But—
A massive shadow moved in front of it.
Standing tall, its scaled body shimmering like molten gold, was a colossal beast.
A monstrous lion-like creature, its mane flickering with deep red flames, stood in front of the portal, eyes brimming with intelligence.
And its aura—
Ding!
[Scarlet Flame Behemoth] – Golden Core Realm
-A beast that has reached the Golden Core realm through fire refinement.
-Possesses high intelligence and battle instincts.
-Strongest trait: While its fire attacks are useless against Qin Chen, its pure physical strength is devastating.
Qin Chen's lips curled.
A Golden Core beast.
Most Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn't even be able to stand in its presence.
But Qin Chen?
He cracked his knuckles.
"About time something gave me a challenge."
The Scarlet Flame Behemoth let out a deep growl, its burning red mane flaring wildly.
It clearly noticed the surrounding fire almost prostrating to Qin Chen, and it's flame core was faintly pulsing with a desire to submit.
It didn't attack with fire.
It was smart.
It knew.
Fire wouldn't work.
Instead—
BOOM!
The beast vanished.
Qin Chen's pupils contracted—
Fast!
Before he could react—
BOOOOOOM!
A colossal paw smashed into him, sending him flying across the battlefield.
He crashed into a molten boulder, sending debris flying in all directions.
The impact would have flattened most cultivators.
But Qin Chen rose immediately, dusting himself off.
His Fire Sovereign Dao Body didn't just help with cultivation, it refined every last part of Qin Chen's body with flames.
The strength of his body and his vitality was sky-high.
He cracked his neck.
"Strong."
The Scarlet Flame Behemoth landed again, this time lunging for a deadly follow-up attack.
Qin Chen grinned.
He was just getting started.
BOOM!
As the Scarlet Flame Behemoth lunged, its claws ripping through the air, Qin Chen stepped forward.
His golden flames surged, forming a protective aura around him.
"Phoenix Flame Armor."
FWOOSH!
A golden flame construct in the shape of a majestic phoenix appeared around his body, blocking the attack head-on.
The beast's claws slammed into him—
But this time?
It was the beast that got sent flying.
Qin Chen didn't budge an inch.
His golden eyes flashed coldly.
"You rely on brute force?"
"Then I'll break you with absolute firepower."
His right hand burned—
A surge of overwhelming flame energy condensed around his palm.
Qin Chen's entire body radiated a divine presence, as if a true Fire God had descended.
"Pillar of Heavenly Fire."
BOOOOOOOM!
A massive golden pillar of fire erupted beneath the beast, engulfing it completely.
The Scarlet Flame Behemoth howled in pain—
Its legendary fire-resistant scales?
Useless.
Its body burned, its strength weakening by the second.
It's own flame energy was consuming it from the inside.
It tried to leap away—
Too slow.
Qin Chen appeared above it, golden flames coiling around his fist.
"Time to end this."
The Scarlet Flame Behemoth, despite its wounds, refused to submit.
It let out a final battle cry, its body surging with all its remaining energy.
A desperate full-power charge.
Qin Chen?
He simply raised a single hand.
"Stay down."
Hell Flame Fist.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
His flaming punch smashed into the Scarlet Flame Behemoth's skull, sending a wave of destruction that shattered the ground beneath them.
The Golden Core beast was sent flying, crashing into the blackened terrain, completely unmoving.
It twitched.
And then—
It stopped breathing.
Ding!
Defeated Early Golden Core Spirit Beast – 7,500 SP Earned!
Silence.
Qin Chen exhaled, his flames fading.
His gaze lifted to the portal, still swirling ominously.
This was it.
The final step.
With a calm stride, he walked forward—
And stepped into the unknown.